Saikat Mandal

Fri 3 December 2021 17:10, UK

Barry Ferguson has suggested that he had to laugh after Kenny Miller suggested on Sky Sports that Rangers got away with a soft penalty-kick against Hibernian on Wednesday.

In the 85th minute of the game, Ryan Kent was tripped down in the box by Hibs defender Ryan Porteous.

A penalty was awarded from which Kemar Roofe scored and earned a 1-0 victory for the visitors.

Ferguson, however, has suggested in his Daily Record column that it was a stonewall penalty.

“I had to laugh when I saw my old team-mate Kenny Miller suggesting it was a soft spot-kick on Sky. I’m sure Kenny would have been screaming for a penalty if it had been him on the receiving end of Ryan Porteous’ trip.

“There’s no doubt in my mind at all. It’s a stonewaller.

“You can see clearly there’s a touch in the box. If you leave a leg dangling in the box you leave yourself at risk of conceding a penalty and that’s just what he did. End of discussion.”

Defining moment

Hibernian deserve credit for making life difficult for Rangers who failed to create enough clear-cut chances during the game.

At one point, it seemed like the match would be heading for a draw.

However, a moment of extra quality from Kent, coupled with bad defending from the Hibs defender, sealed the tie in Ranger’s favour.

There was a clear contact in the box, and going by the rules, it’s a definite penalty.

These are early days under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but there are plenty of positives to take home.

By winning three games in a row, Rangers have maintained a winning momentum which will give them immense confidence.

Under the Dutchman, they’ve found a way to shake off disappointment and bounce back under extreme pressure.

Against Hibs, the Gers have shown they can grind out results as well.

Rangers are top of the Scottish Premiership with 36 points, four points ahead of arch-rivals Celtic.

In other Rangers news, an official club partner has fired back at Tom English after his latest bitter jibe at the Bears